Minnesota faculty accused in scandal

Allegations state that faculty, counselors helped basketball players stay in school

In documents provided to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Elayne Donahue said faculty members gave players final grades before their course work was completed and that grades sometimes were changed years after players enrolled in courses.

According to the new accusations:

n Academic counselor Alonzo Newby engineered last-minute switches in the grading method for two of Antoine Broxsie's fall 1997 courses, ensuring Broxsie would remain academically eligible.

n Academic counselors reported concerns that one professor was told to give player Kevin Clark a ``B-'' in a course so he could play.

n Coach Clem Haskins visited instructors on behalf of at least two players and gave one teacher free tickets to a basketball game.

n An administrator expressed concern that he was being pressured to accept an athlete who did not meet requirements into the self-designed study program.

Clark said Tuesday night he doesn't remember taking the class and can't comment because "the school won't let us.''

Athletic Director Mark Dienhart said Tuesday night that Schoemann "investigated the allegation and was unable to find substantiation to justify the claim.''

Two law firms hired by the university continue to investigate charges of academic fraud after allegations by former university employee Jan Gangelhoff. She said she did more than 400 pieces of course work for 20 players from 1993 to 1998.

The documents include four memos describing last-minute changes that gave Broxsie nonletter grades in algebra and climatology courses in the fall of 1997, guaranteeing he would remain eligible.

Newby allegedly contacted Broxsie's academic adviser, Mary Ellen Shaw, seeking a petition to change from letter grades, according to an account written by Jennifer Franko, executive secretary in the General College Academic Support Center.

Newby declined to comment through his attorney. Broxsie's attorney, Phil Resnick, said he could not comment until he has reviewed the memos.

04-15-99